Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

never the twain shall meet

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.37 in modern English

Syllables: nev-er the t-wain shal-l meet
IPA

36

Scrabble Score

22

Letters

4

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Used to emphasize that two subjects are so different that they cannot coexist or agree with each other.

Example Sentences

"In Silverstein's terms, Frank is an "excitement seeker" and the lover is a "home builder." Never the twain shall meet. Again, for a while I saw the conflict between the two in the movie as a refreshing examination of a problem many gay couples (of both sexes) face. But […]"

Etymology

Coined by the English author and poet Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) in his poem The Ballad of East and West (1889).

Phrases

apples and oranges

Frequently Paired Words

apples and oranges

Questions

What does never the twain shall meet mean?: Used to emphasize that two subjects are so different that they cannot coexist or agree with each other.
Where does never the twain shall meet come from?: Coined by the English author and poet Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) in his poem The Ballad of East and West (1889).

How to pronounce never the twain shall meet

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